Adjustable camera-stand.



Ne. 709,6!2. Patented sept. 23,` |902.

J. H. SMITH.

ADJUSTABLE CAMERA STAND.

(Application filed Feb. 20, 1902.)

(No Model.)

HII

llllllllll JAMES H. SMITH, OF

.tornar union.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ADJ U STB LE CANI ERA-STAN D.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 79,612, dated September 23, 1902.

Application filed February 20. 1902. Serial No. 94,942. (No model.)

To @ZZ 71171/0711, 7115 may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES H. SMITH, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State. of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjusting Mechanism for Camera-Stands, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which corresponding letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

In all camera-stands for indoor work it is customary to place the camera-case loosely upon a tilting support and to adjust it by varying the relative angle of said support to the plane of the horizon. Various means more or less complicated and unsatisfactory have been employed to accomplish this result.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient means therefor; and to this end my invention consists in the combination of elements hereinafter described, and specilicailyset forth in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure lis a side elevation of a camerastand embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view,partlyin section, of myimproved clamping mechanism and a portion of the support therefor. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view thereof, and Fig. 4 is a sec tional View thereof with the exception of the adjustable rod, taken upon the linel 4 4, Fig. 3, as viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown.

Referring to the drawings, a represents the frame of my improved camera-stand, which consists ot' diverging legs alt-ached to a central body l), in a bore in which is adjustably secured in the usual way a central standard c, to the top of which is rigidly attached the usual stationary base d, which is arranged horizontally. Upon one end of said base d is hinged at c the usual adjustable bed f, which serves a support for the cameraframe, and which is provided with a flange or cleat g, against which the front of the camera may rest. f

Pivotally mounted in a bearing l', attached to the bottom of the base or frame d, is a frictiondever (designated generally by 77%,) which consists of a rearwardly-projecting handle n and diverging arms o p, the ends of which are parallel with each other and are provided with bores Q q in alinement with each other, so as to receive the rod lo. The upper end of the arm 0 is provided with laterally-extended trunnious 9 r, Figs. 2 and 4, which are supported in the bearing Z, the axis of said trunnions being in substantial alinement with that of the bore g. Avertical slot S is formed in the arm o, extending upwardly from the upper face of the handle n, through which is loosely projected the'arm of a clamping member t, which member is provided with a bore u, through `which the rod is passed. The forward portion, through which said bore is formed, is heavier than the rearwardly-projecting arm, and inasmuch as the latter rests in the bottom of the slot the forward end tends to fall by its own gravity, thereby clamping the rod 7c and preventing its descent. The bore u of the clamping member is enough larger than the diameter of the rod to permit the clamping member to assume an inclined position with respect to the handle n, as shown in Figs. 2 and When, therefore, the handle, the upper face of which is at right angles to the rod 7c, is grasped and the part f pressed against it, the rod 7.: is released and is free to descend. lf, however, the handle is lifted upwardly with sufficient force, a frictional action is produced upon the rod 7c by the backward pressure ofthe arm p, which prevents a sudden descent of the rod, thereby acting as a friotion-brake and enabling` the device to be operated with one hand. Unless this pressure, as described, is exerted upon the handle it is manifest that both hands would be required to properly operate the device. It will thus be seen that the structure constitutes a combined clamp and frictionbrake.

Having thus described my invention, I claim l. 'ihecombination ofa stationarysupport, a Vertically-movable supportingi'od, a handlever having diverging branches provided with bores therein through which said supporting-rod is loosely passed, means for pivoting said lever to said stationary support, and a gravity clamping member arranged to rest pivotally upon said lever adjacent to said rod, the same being interposed between the ICO branches of said lever and having a bore therein to receive said supporting-rod.

2. The combination with an adj ustablesupporting-rod of an element supported thereby,

a hand-lever having diverging branches bored at the ends to receive said supporting-rod, one of said branches being pivotally mounted upon a stationary support, and a gravity clamping member pivoted upon said handlever, said clamping member being provided with a bore to receive said supporting-rod, the normal or clamping position of said member being at an angle to the handle of said lever, whereby the simultaneous pressure in opposite directions upon the two, may serve to release said clamp and to act as a frictionbrake upon said rod.

3. The combination with a tilting member hinged at one end, of a supporting-rod loosely depending from the opposite end, a hand-lever having diverging branches bored to receive said supporting-rod, means forl pivoting one of said branches to a stationary support and a gravity clamping member pivotally supported by said hand-lever,said clamping member being arranged approximately at right angles to said supporting-rod and provided with a bore to receive the latter; whereby said supporting-rod may be lifted at will or caused to descend gradually by simultaneously pressing said hand-lever upon said rod to produce the requisite friction and releasing said clam p ing` member.

4. A combined clamping device and fric? tion-brake for a vertically-adjustable supporting-rod, consisting of a bifurcated handlever having one of its branches pivoted to a stationary support, bores in said branches for the reception of said rod, and a friction clamping member pivoted in a slot in the uppermost branch, said clamping member having a bore therein for the reception of said rod, and being provided with a rear extension arranged to stand normally at an angle to the handle portion of said lever.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 13th day of February, 1902.

JAMES H. SMITH.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, EDWIN DAVIS. 

